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CAN'T FIND SOMETHING? |
Ian WalkerPresident, Left Coast NaturalsAge: 38 Ian Walker could have inherited the family business, but the hands-on entrepreneur wanted to earn things the hard way. “Anything that you get in this life you have to earn,” said Walker. “I felt like if I was ever going to enter the family business then I would come into it with my own expertise.” And he definitely has his own expertise. Walker founded Burnaby-based Left Coast Naturals in 1995, although then it was called Skeet and Ike’s. Since its inception, the organic and natural-foods manufacturer has developed two food brands sold across Canada, and transformed the company into an enterprise that recorded $10 million in sales last year and employed 20 people. Although Walker knew from a young age that he wanted to start a business of his own, after university he wasn’t sure what or where that business would be. “I went and travelled … to Asia and Australia, and stopped over in Vancouver on my way to visit my sister and said, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll try and find work here,’” he said. Walker didn’t know a lot about eco-friendly industries when he started out, but the universal business skills he learned from his father enabled him to overcome any disadvantage in that area. “From a young age, my father was good at talking about the business and involving us, and that gave me some good exposure to entrepreneurship.” Walker is now a board member of his family’s company, Walker Industries Holdings Ltd., a Niagara Falls-based landfill and road-management company. At 38, Walker isn’t very old, but he said over the years he’s learned some important lessons about business that no one should ever forget. “Treat people the way you want to be treated do what you say you’re going to do, and if you follow those things, at the end of the day, you’re going to be successful.” • Birthplace: St. Catharines, Ontario Where do you live now: North Vancouver Highest level of education: Bachelor of commerce from Dalhousie University Car or chosen mode of transport: VW Golf TDI Currently reading: What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell Last CD bought or music downloaded: The soundtrack from Once Favourite movie: Life is Beautiful Favourite local restaurant: Vij’s Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): My grandfather Profession you would most like to try: Kayak-trip guide Mentor: My dad Most memorable career milestone or event: Seeing someone buy our products for the first time Toughest business or professional decision: Quitting my job to do this business full time What’s left to do: Find work-life balance, help the business to have a more profound impact on society This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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